Tag: Bible

Q&A#8: The Word of God

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#8
Q: What does the Word of God teach us?
A: The Word of God teaches us about God, our purpose, our failure, and our only hope of salvation.

From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.
– II Timothy 3:15-16 (ESV)

For Further Reflection
Read Isaiah 40, Matt. 22:37-40, Romans 3:10-25

Our Response
Receive Jesus as your Savior
Read God’s Word and follow it

Q&A#7: The Word of God

On By BrianIn PASSION Catechism

Q/A#7
Q: How did we receive the Word of God?
A: We received the Word of God through holy men who wrote as they were led by the Holy Spirit.

Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.  – II Peter 1:20-21 (ESV)

For Further Reflection
Read Acts 1:15-17 & 4:23-26

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

What the Word of God Says About the Word of God, Book by Book – Jared Wilson (FTC)
What God says about his word is a deep, complex, and staggering thing. And each book of the written word testifies to the wonder of his revelation….

Poor Interpretation Lets Us “Believe” the Bible While Denying What It Actually Says – Randy Alcorn
Many so-called evangelicals affirm their belief in Scripture, while attributing meanings to biblical texts that in fact deny what Scripture really says. Hence they “believe every word of the Bible” while actually embracing (and teaching) beliefs that utterly contradict it.

How to Sabotage a Bible Study – Greg Morse as Wormwood (DG)
You seem to forget that we never fear a man just because he reads a Bible. Some of our most useful vermin, having dedicated their lives to it, are snuggly tenured in religious departments across the country. Remember, we do not mind the Bible hobbyist, the hypocrite, and the text-twister. All goes awry, however, when the humans understand the Enemy’s word, treasure it, believe it, obey it, and are led through it to him.

Sola Scriptura: A Scripture-Alone Life – Steve DeWitt
Scripture over us—authority. Under us—promises. In us—Bible intake. Through us—obedience and guidance. Sola Scriptura. Let’s be doctrinally right but let’s make sure right doctrine leads to right living.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day with your local church in God’s Word!

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

How to Improve Your Biblical Literacy – Scott Slayton
Strategizing to learn God’s word does take time. Finding a reading plan and working through how you will stick with it does take effort, but it is absolutely worth it. God’s word does not return void and time spent digging into God’s word is never wasted.

Joy Is for the Generous – Tim Challies
Their generosity brought joy. The free and willing sacrifice of their own wealth caused them to rejoice. Each one gave as he decided in his own heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion. God loves that kind of cheerful giver and God’s people love to be that kind of cheerful giver. God granted and his people gained joy.

We are Not In Eden – Courtney Reissig
We are longing for something better and it’s coming. It’s just not here yet. Until then, we fix the brokenness with this world with temporary solutions, like a band-aid. Longing for the day when it’s all made new.

How You Might Break the Third Commandment in Church -Mike Leake
I’m ashamed to say that I broke this one in church the other day. You might be surprised by that. Why in the world would a preacher of the gospel be guilty of dropping one of the big “no-no” curse words? But that’s not how I broke it. I didn’t use God’s name in a string of expletives. I used it in a worship song.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day!

Reflections on Habakkuk 3

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Habakkuk prays to God.

  • Salvation and Judgment – Habakkuk recognizes that God will save his people by judging their enemies (v13). Some people want God to be a Savior but not a Judge, to be loving but not holy.  Habakkuk realizes that God must be both.  In order to save his people, God must judge the wicked.
  • Joyful Trust – Habakkuk ends his book with a glorious statement of joyful trust (v17-19). Though all earthly means may fail, he will yet rejoice in the Lord who is his strength.  In what situations do you need to rejoice in the Lord as you lean on his strength?

Reflections on Habakkuk 1-2

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God tells Habakkuk that he will judge Judah thru Babylon, and then judge Babylon.

  • Trust – Throughout the first two chapters, Habakkuk struggles to understand God’s plan. God tells him that the righteous shall live by faith (2:4).  For what in your life do you need to trust God?
  • God’s Glory – Habakkuk is concerned about God’s honor (1:12). God is also concerned about his honor – he will fill the whole earth with the knowledge of his glory (2:14).  All should keep silent before him (2:20).  Are you concerned about God’s honor?  How might that show in your life?

Reflections on Zephaniah 3

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Zephaniah predicts the coming day of the Lord – a time of great blessing for God’s people.

  • Future Blessings – Zephaniah ends his book with a beautiful picture of what is to come. God’s people will humbly serve God and act in righteousness and justice.  They will dwell in safety with God in their midst.  They will rejoice in the Lord even as he will rejoice in them.  What a glorious day is coming!  Rejoice and sing!

Reflections on Zephaniah 1-2

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Zephaniah predicts the coming day of the Lord – a time of great judgment.

  • Judgment for Sin – Most of Zephaniah deals with God’s judgment. The reason for this judgment is clear – “because they have sinned against the Lord” (1:17).  This includes idolatry (1:4-6), boasting (2:8), and pride (2:10, 15). God hates sin and will judge.  Sin is serious.  Are you taking sin seriously in your life?
  • Seek! – Zephaniah calls God’s people to seek the Lord, to seek righteousness, and to seek humility. Are you seeking these things?  In what ways?

Reflections on Nahum 2-3

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Nahum describes the fall of Nineveh.

  • Against Sinners – Twice God says he is against Nineveh (2:13, 3:5). In truth, God is against all people because of their sin (Romans 1:18).  But in Christ there is no longer any condemnation for us; in Christ God is no longer against us, but for us (Romans 8:1, 31).  Praise the Lord!
  • Trust – Nineveh plundered the nations and was full of wealth, but their wealth was about to be plundered (2:9). They trusted in the security of their city, but like Thebes (3:8-10), their city too would fail.  What are you living for?  What are you trusting in?

Reflections on Nahum 1

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Nahum proclaims the greatness of our God and predicts the coming fall of Nineveh.

  • God’s Wrath – God hates sin. He gave Nineveh a chance to repent through Jonah, but their repentance was short lived.  Now God’s wrath would be poured out in judgment.  God’s wrath is serious.  Praise the Lord that Jesus bore our sin and God’s wrath in our place!
  • Stronghold – While this book is bad news for Nineveh, it is good news for Judah. Nineveh had come against them and almost destroyed them, but God had been their stronghold.  Now God would be their stronghold in delivering Judah from Nineveh forever (1:7).  This was good news (1:15).  How do you need God to be your stronghold today?